VI
CHAPTER VI
DON OF THE SLUMS
"I can't believe this is your plan."
Cloud stared at his reflection in the clothes shop mirror, shaking his head in disgust as he let the dress unfurl over the ground at his feet, hiding his army boots under plaits of blue cotton. The costume clung to his figure, taut over the braces and belt of his outfit underneath, but the shape of the leather accessories added to his illusionary bust. Around him, he sensed the bemused smirks of other customers, a muffled laughter coming from a group of aged women at the far side of the store.
"You are worried about Tifa, aren't you?" Aerith responded, unable to wipe the smile from her face as he fought to tie the red bow round his waist. She turned to the shop owner by her side, a man she appeared to know personally. He was burly in stature, with a wild mane of wavy black hair and a thick beard to match. "So, what do you think?"
"This might be interesting," Gaskin chuckled with entertainment. "I was gettin' a little bored with just makin' regular clothes for women. This may be a new business for me."
"I'm sure there're plenty of guys in Wall Market who'd make use of it," sniggered Aerith. "It looks good on him; he's so cute."
"Hey…"
"I still can't understand why a tough-looking guy like him would want to dress up as a woman," muttered Gaskin, as if thinking aloud. "Just make sure he returns it in good condition, okay?"
"Don't worry, I will," said Aerith.
"I don't look right," moaned Cloud, joining them by the counter. "This is never gonna work."
"There's definitely still something missing," agreed Aerith, her forehead wrinkling.
"What about a wig?" suggested Gaskin, booming with hearty laughter at his own joke.
"A wig!" squealed Aerith. "Of course."
Disappearing into the backroom of the store, the tailor returned after a few minutes bearing a selection of artificial hair. Aerith studied the range and, selecting a wig that matched Cloud's own colour, she handed him a long blonde hairpiece. Pulling it on reluctantly, his humiliation escalating, he opened his eyes as she dabbed his cheeks with a sprinkle of powdered makeup, and stumbled backwards.
"What are you doing?" he snapped, rubbing his face with the back of his hand.
"Stay still or you'll smudge it all," ordered Aerith, holding up the brush a second time. "We need to make you look as feminine as possible, right?"
His temper simmering, Cloud waited in silence until she had applied as much makeup as she deemed appropriate. Thanking Gaskin for the loan of the garment, the two left the store. The hike to Don Corneo's estate proved more difficult in the dress; after almost toppling twice, Cloud opted to carry the plaits at his ankles. He grew angry as Aerith teased him, constantly erupting into a fit of giggles with every mistimed step.
"You have to walk…more nicely," she coached, panting as she tried to catch her breath through the hilarity.
"What do you mean "nicely"?"
"Y'know…seductively. You have to make the guards feel that you are genuinely interested in them."
"I don't know if I can do this…"
"Oh, you'll be fine," she gestured encouragingly, watching him grit his teeth. "Remember, you're doing this for Tifa. And besides, you look lovely, Miss Cloud."
As they approached the gate to the grounds, they found the entrance to the mansion to be patrolled by a new member of security. Aerith waved to gain the man's attention, leaning alluringly against the barrier as he strolled pompously along the cobbled road towards them. He was robust in stature, with deep-set eyes and short silver hair that complimented his dark skin, constantly adjusting the jacket of his burgundy suit. He nodded politely to them, pushing the switch to part the gates. Cloud lowered his eyes to shun the man's shameless gaze, his heart thumping as he and Aerith passed into the estate.
"Right this way, ladies," the guard instructed, motioning towards the mansion, groping Cloud's rear before taking the lead. "Hmm…firm…"
He brought them to the main hall of the manor, the grand mahogany doorway opening into the expanse. The tiled floor of the foyer sparkled with polish, bare but for an enormous circular oriental rug at the foot of the broad staircase. The maroon rug had been woven in the form of a giant aquatic serpent wrapped around a golden sword; a representation of the Water God, Leviathan, and the Crest of Wutai. Emblems and insignias of ancient cultures had been painted on the wall in colours of deep red and orange, their meanings long forgotten in an age of science. Two huge urns had been set opposite one another at the twin openings to the corridors leading from the hall, each large enough to hold an adult inside. It was clear that even businessmen with such heinous connections to the criminal underworld had taste.
Clicking his fingers as a signal for the two to follow, the guard climbed the red carpet of the stairs, ascending to the balcony of the second floor. At the peak of the steps, there stood a slender set of doors with the symbol of a rising sun upon them, and intricately crafted lamps positioned on either side. The man moved swiftly to the left, gliding along the smooth walkway that sidled the wall until he came to the ingress of a narrow passage.
"Ladies, please make your way to the cellar," he said, gesturing for them to continue down the stone tunnel. "My name is Leslie, and if you need anything to freshen up, do ask. I'll go inform the Don of your arrival."
The corridor had been designed in a medieval fashion; the heavy walls and ceiling of cold slabs were adorned by chains of linked iron. The passageway ended after only a few feet, declining to become a straight stairwell leading to the depths of the manor. A glow of candlelight filtered from a chamber below, the hazy strands of radiance creeping over the stone. At the base of the steps, they found a room filled with bizarre restraining devices and littered with unusual sexual accessories. In the corner, gazing dreamily into the blazing fireplace, sat Tifa in her stunning purple dress. Seeing her, Cloud felt his embarrassment grow tenfold, turning his back on her in shame.
"Tifa…?" asked Aerith, wary of Cloud's reaction to the situation, her voice echoing somewhat. Tifa jumped from the chair at the sound of her name, clenching her fists as she glowered suspiciously at Aerith.
"You…" she spluttered, her brows furrowed with confusion, "you're the one who was in the park with Cloud, aren't you?"
"That's right," nodded Aerith.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Aerith Gainsborough. It's nice to meet you."
"Well, there's no point in introducing myself; you already seem to know who I am," Tifa said brusquely.
"Cloud told me."
"Oh…"
"Don't worry," smiled Aerith reassuringly, reading the expression on Tifa's face, "we just met. It's nothing."
"What are you talking about?" stammered Tifa, blushing. "Why would I be worried?"
"Have I misunderstood?"
"Cloud and I grew up together. Nothing more…"
"Poor guy," chortled Aerith, watching as he reluctantly looked up, "having to stand here and listen to both of us call him 'nothing'."
"Cloud…?" mouthed Tifa, her eyes straining in the dim light. As she suddenly became aware of his presence in the shadows, her jaw dropped, staring at him in astonishment.
"Tifa…"
"Cloud, what the hell?" she gasped. "Why are you dressed like that? What are you doing here?"
"Tifa…"
"Forget that…" she said in grateful disbelief, crossing the room and throwing her arms around him, "what happened to you after you fell from the Plate? Are you hurt?"
"Tifa, give me a chance to answer," he replied uncomfortably, pulling away from her embrace and moving towards the fire. "I'm dressed like this because there was no other way to get in here. And I'm alright…Aerith helped me out."
"Well, I think you've made a good job of your makeup," Tifa snorted. "If you hide your face in your hair a bit more, you could probably pass as a lady even up close. I wonder what Barret would say if he could see you now…"
"Don't start with me…"
"Cloud, I don't know what to say. I'm really glad to see you're okay. I thought you were lost…maybe even dead. I was afraid; there's still so much I need to know…so much I have to tell you…"
"Well, it's nice to see you came looking for me," he said coldly.
"I would have," gulped Tifa, hesitating as she chose her words, glancing uneasily at Aerith, "but there was a problem."
"A problem?" frowned Cloud. "Is that why you're in a place like this?"
"When we got back from Sector5, there was a weird man prowling around the bar, asking Marlene questions. Barret caught him and squeezed some information out of him. That's when the Don's name came up. Barret thought it was nothing, but something the man said has been bothering me."
"What was it?"
"He seemed desperate to make sure we were going to be in Sector7 today. I also noticed the soldier at the Wall gate wasn't there when the carriage wanted to pass. The driver had to get out and activate the lock himself. In all the time I've lived in Midgar, I've never seen that."
"That's strange," said Cloud pensively. "The guard on our side wasn't there either, but the control shed had been completely barricaded. That means Shinra only intended one-way traffic. What do you think's goin' on?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "But, I wanted to come here and get the story straight from Corneo's mouth."
"What now, then?"
"Well, I'm kinda in a bind," sighed Tifa. "Corneo is looking for a bride. Every day he gets three girls, chooses one of them, and then…well…y'know…"
"I get the picture."
"Anyway, I have to be the girl or else I'll never find out what he's planning."
"But, there's three girls here," Aerith interjected. "If we work together, at least one of us will get to question the Don, right?"
"I guess…"
"No, Aerith," refused Cloud. "You can't get involved in this."
"Oh, but it's alright for Tifa to be in danger?" she retorted stubbornly, placing her hands on her hips.
"I don't want Tifa in danger either…"
"Are you sure you can do this, Aerith?" asked Tifa, paying no attention to Cloud's argument.
"I grew up in the Slums," she waved dismissively. "Trust me, I've been caught up in a lot worse than this."
"Aerith, you can't…" started Cloud.
"Ladies?" called a voice from above them. They all turned to see another of Don Corneo's attendants descend from the tunnel, pausing in the arched opening to the basement. He also wore a stylish suit, but had long, dark hair tied back in a ponytail. "It's time, ladies. The Don is waiting."
He lingered in the same spot until all three had begun to scale the steps, goggling at each of them in a somewhat perverse manner. Thinking quickly, Tifa had ensured that Cloud walked closely between her and Aerith, minimising the threat of exposure as the man trotted behind. Swivelling his hips in an attractive way, Cloud heard the raspy breathing of the attendant become louder and harsher, entranced by the movement.
As they reached the balcony overlooking the lobby, the man darted ahead of the line to the large doors at the centre of the terrace. He knocked twice, and held his ear to the golden sun crest, listening for an answer. When at last the reply came, he bowed to them and pushed the crest apart, motioning with his hand for the trio to enter.
The room beyond was as long as it was broad, laden with extravagant colours and shades. Another, much wider carpet stretched from the doorway to the lavish camphorwood desk at the far side of the study, decorated with the images of intertwining snakes. Statues of mythical creatures had been placed at regular intervals along the walls, their sizes increasing methodically as they drew toward the curtained portal to a bedroom at the rear of the room, revealing the Don to be a dilettante of such artefacts.
Behind the desk sat a squat man, his beady eyes glistening with anticipation as the three approached. Taking one final draw of smoke, he set his cigar into its holder, and grew to his feet. His plump face and head was completely bald but for a single line of bright yellow hair that ran from his forehead to his crown, and a loveheart tattoo by his temple. He wore nothing but a luxuriant bathrobe, the bulge of his overweight stomach visible for all to see.
"Alright, ladies," ordered the attendant from the hallway, "line up in front of the Don."
Obeying, they shaped a horizontal row a few paces from the desk. Don Corneo strolled around to meet them, sleazily trailing his fingers over the surface of his workspace with one hand, swirling his glass of red wine with the other. Leaning against the desk, he let his eager eyes wash over them. Cloud glanced away each time the Don faced him, acting shyly, and silently hoped that Aerith's idea was not about to backfire.
"Good…splendid," Corneo swigged his wine, tapping his fingers on his chin. "Let's see, which girl should I choose?"
Stepping slowly forward, he sauntered across the small space to where Aerith stood, holding her chest out. He grinned mischievously as he gaped at her bosom, licking his lips as he began to stroke her pale complexion. She blew him a kiss, causing him to smirk in a greater lust. Casually ambling from Aerith to Cloud, and then to the busty Tifa, he conveyed little interest in selecting either in her place. Returning to his desk, he gathered his cigar, and made for his bedroom.
"I have made my decision," he announced flatly, brushing one of the thin drapes aside. "My choice for tonight is the little beauty in the pink dress. Come, my dear."
"Be…be nice, Don…" Aerith teased in a dry voice, starting hesitantly towards him. Quickly glimpsing Cloud and Tifa, she gave them a faltering smile.
"Scotch, you and the boys can make use of the other two," called Corneo from over his shoulder, taking Aerith's hand and guiding her to the back room.
"Yes, sir," bowed the assistant. "Thank you, sir. Come on then, girls…we'll have our own fun."
Careful to avoid eye contact with the man, Cloud vacated the room, Tifa close behind. Rubbing his hands together in excitement, Scotch led the two to a room farther along the walkway. A mist of cigarette smoke partially obscured their vision as they followed him into the staff area, the stench of sweat filling their nostrils. The space resembled the surrounding Slum, with layers of trash piled high in the corners, and half-empty beer bottles strewn lazily on the floor.
Cloud counted six security guards and other mafia personnel inside the room, almost all of whom had been consumed by the news report on television, repeating the images of the Mako Reactor5 bombing. Two of the gangsters sat on cushions around a small table, taking turns to snort lines of a white powdered drug as they continued their card game. A series of discarded leaflets littered the floor, advertising a new bar for the popular Turtle's Paradise chain. Wandering to the blackened window on the opposite side of the quarters, Scotch cleared his throat, gaining the attention of most of them.
"Gentlemen," he declared, gesturing at Cloud and Tifa, "it might interest you to know that we have guests."
"Don't worry, ladies," shouted one of the guards, turning from the sofa, his drooping nose ring and foul features making him resemble a sickly bull, "we'll take real good care of you."
"This is all thanks to the big boss," added Scotch as he dragged Cloud to his side, his eyes flashing with intent. "Well, ladies, are we all ready?"
"Get off of me!" growled Cloud.
"Come on, dance with me beautiful," laughed Scotch, pulling him closer. "Hey, you're in pretty good shape. Look at your tight little body…well, actually, it's more like muscles…"
"I said get off me," yelled Cloud, thrusting Scotch hard against the wall.
"What's wrong, babe?" chuckled Scotch, playfully holding his hands up in submission. "Don't you wanna come have fun with us? We wanna play with you…"
"I'm flattered, but no thanks," he snarled, tearing the wig from his head and hurling it to the floor at Scotch's feet. "I ain't interested in a bunch of scrubs like you."
Scotch gasped in horror as Cloud yanked the dress off, stumbling backwards over the television. In anger, the men of the room jumped to their feet, tossing their bottles aside. The glass exploded against the wall, the fumes of alcohol immediately encircling the quarters. Kicking off her heeled shoes, Tifa quickly joined Cloud by the window, bouncing on her toes as she fell into her martial arts stance.
"Godsdammit! You think you can get away with this?" roared Scotch, finding his balance, glaring furiously at the stationary henchmen. "What are you waiting for? Apps, get them! Knock the crap out of them!"
Without waiting for the sentence to finish, the guard with the bull ring pounced across the room, diving at Cloud. Reacting instinctively, Cloud shifted his body out of the way, and seized the man's neck as he flew through the air, smashing his head against the wall. As he crumpled in an unconscious heap, two others burst from the sofa. Cloud ducked as one of them swung a punch, catching the man's crotch with his knee.
Glancing up, he saw Tifa leap from her standing position, bringing her leg round in an arced motion. It connected heavily with the second attendant's chin, a loud crack sounding as his jaw snapped in two. He tumbled to the ground, howling in pain as he clutched his face. Tifa landed as agile as she had taken off, her expression one of vengeful satisfaction. Cloud felt a burning rage well up inside himself, his blood boiling as he met the fierce gaze of Scotch.
"What the hell's the matter with you weaklings?" he screamed at his fallen comrades. "Do I have to show you how it's done every time?"
Ripping his suit jacket from his body, he charged at the two, his face twisted in resentment. Dodging as Cloud brought his arm forward, Scotch thrust his shoulder into his stomach, sending him onto his back. With a swift movement, he blocked Tifa's attack with his forearm, swiping at her legs in an attempt to compromise her footing. She sprang the trap, kicking him as she hopped over his trailing ankle. He cursed her as he was knocked to his side, yelping as he felt Cloud's strong hands haul him up.
"W…wait…" he moaned sheepishly as the grip tightened.
"Tifa, you ready?" said Cloud.
"Do it!"
Summoning all his might, Cloud lifted Scotch into the air and released his grasp. As he did so, Tifa launched herself forward, flipping her body in a somersault. Her foot collided with Scotch's torso, hitting with a force so hard that he was thrown against the window. The black glass shattered as he shot through it, his howls coming to a sickening end as he landed on the solid earth below. Turning away from the window, Cloud saw the remaining guards retreat from the room, their frightened curse words echoing from the hallway as they clambered down the stairs to the foyer.
"What's so funny?" he asked, seeing a mischievous smirk appearing on Tifa's face.
"I didn't know you could fight so well without your sword," she slapped his back playfully.
"It's one of the first things they teach you in the military," frowned Cloud. "Essential if you wanna get into SOLDIER."
"I guess," she said, rolling her eyes. "And it's not as if you're a stranger to conflict. You were always at it as a child."
"What happened to my sword, anyway?"
"After you fell, we found it on the bridge beside us," replied Tifa. "Barret wanted to leave it behind, but I wouldn't let him. I knew if you came back, you'd want it."
"Where is it now?"
"At the bar. You can get it once we find out what's goin' on."
"Yeah, c'mon."
Stepping over the bodies of the grounded men, the two raced from the staff area and back to the study. Slipping noiselessly through the doorway, they could make out the muffled voice of Don Corneo pleading with Aerith in the bedroom. They burst through the curtains in time to see him scramble across his double bed to where Aerith sat, his face pink with desire. The ties of his bathrobe had become undone, and his greasy figure was on show. Aerith brushed his hand away as he began to caress her hair, taking a few seconds to realise that she and her tormentor were not alone.
"Cloud?" she cried, jumping from the bed.
"What the hell?" shrieked Corneo, dragging the yellow quilt over his body to hide his naked flesh. "Help! Someone help! Scotch? Leslie? Apps…?"
"There's no use," sneered Tifa. "Your men have deserted you."
"But…but…who are you people?"
"Shut up!" demanded Cloud, the adrenaline of the fight still pumping in his veins. Corneo stared at him dumbfounded, his petrified eyes switching between the three as he began to quiver. "We're asking the questions now. That mouth of yours is gonna be put to work in other ways."
"What do you want?" he asked timidly.
"Information."
"Wha…what information?"
"What did your assistants find out in Sector7?" barked Tifa. "Talk!"
"And if I don't?"
"If you don't tell us what we want to know," answered Cloud, his glare unforgiving as he nodded towards Don Corneo's genitals, "I'll chop them off."
"No…not that," he squeaked. "I'll talk…I'll tell you everything…"
"Well…?" said Tifa.
"I made them find out where the man with the gun-arm was."
"Why?"
"Because that's what I was ordered to do."
"By who?"
"No…" the Don trembled. "If I told you that, I'd be killed."
"If you don't tell us," Aerith snapped, glaring down upon him, "I'll rip them off."
"It was…it was Heidegger of Shinra," he wailed. "Director of Public Safety Maintenance."
"The General of the Armed Forces ordered this?" gasped Cloud in confusion. "But…but, why? What are the Shinra up to?"
"I can't say…"
"If you don't talk," erupted Tifa, "I'll pulverise them."
"You…you're serious, aren't you?" gulped Don Corneo, cowering into his duvet, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "I promise…I'm not fooling around."
"Then, tell us!"
"Shinra's trying to infiltrate what's left of the rebel group, AVALANCHE. My job was to confirm that their hideout was in the Sector7 Slums."
"Why?"
"Because the Shinra are going to crush them…literally," he stammered. "They're going to break the Support Pillar that holds up the Plate above it."
"Break the Support?" spluttered Tifa, unable to compute the information.
"The plan is to completely wipe out the terrorists."
"If the Plate comes down, there'll be a lot of devastation," Cloud shook his head. "Why are you still here?"
"I've been assured that Wall Market won't be affected," replied the Don, a note of relief in his tone. "I'm safe where I am."
"You callous bastard!" screamed Tifa. "How could you be so uncaring? Thousands of people will lose their lives if this happens…"
"People that the Shinra have deemed expendable."
"Why, you…"
"Tifa!" shouted Cloud, grabbing her as she tried to attack Don Corneo. "Tifa, get a hold of yourself…"
"We have to warn the people in the Slums," Aerith said frantically. Her teeth clenched, Tifa mumbled something in agreement, and started towards the doorway.
"Wait," whimpered the Don.
"What?" hissed Cloud, turning to see him pull himself up against the bed's headboard.
"Please, it'll only take a second," he begged. "It's just…how do you think scum like me feel when they're forced into positions like this?"
"Personally, I think that they've pretty much given up on life," spat Cloud.
"Close…but no cigar," Corneo chortled menacingly, a wicked smile forming on his lips. Reaching up, he grasped a thin silver lever above his head, and heaved it down. Everything slowed as Cloud spun, opening his mouth to warn the girls, but the words had barely left his throat when the floor beneath their feet gave way, and the three began to fall.
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